Page 100 of Resisting the Grump

“Why would you go and suggest a wild thing like that?”

“Because ever since the night I made you lobster and saw you in that little white dress on X marks the spot, I’ve been ring shopping.”

“Excuse me,” she squeaked.

“What?” I shrugged. “If you won’t wear the leash I got you…”

“Very funny,” she said, pretending to scowl. “But I’m nobody’s property, Oliver.”

“That’s what’s going to make you such a good wife.”

“We’ve barely been together for four months.”

“I’m aware.” It had been the best hundred and seven days of my life. “But we can’t put our happy ending on hold forever.”

She narrowed her eyes on mine.

“What?” I took a sip of my cold beer before licking my lips.

“You really are a stubborn, presumptuous man.”

“Save it for your vows.”

“I’m not ready to marry you, Oliver.”

“Good. Because as I explained before, I don’t even have a ring yet.”

She stared at me like she couldn’t tell if I was joking.

“Plus, I have to wait around for some bullshit nothing day that isn’t celebrated anywhere by anyone for any reason.”

“Aww,” Her features wilted like she’d seen a puppy. “You were listening.”

“Your voice is my favorite sound.”

“You can’t possibly keep this up,” she said, shaking her head at me. “Being this sweet and romantic all the time.”

“All I ask is you give me the chance to try.” Something fired in her eyes, and I felt the warmth from head to toe. “I love you, Avery. For better or for worse. And God knows I’ve already discovered what both sides of you entail.”

“Much to my undying mortification.”

I tipped her chin up, counting down the minutes to when I could get her alone. Not just because of how much fun we had together, but because she was my favorite company of all time. No offense to her friends and family, but she was my real life, the life I’d been looking for. The love I’d been waiting for.

“How can you be so sure?” she asked. “That we’ll be able to go the distance?”

“Because you met me halfway.”

She searched my eyes.

“When things got tough, you met me halfway.”

“I did, didn’t I?”

I nodded. “As long as we’re both willing to meet each other halfway, we can go all the way.”

She rose onto her toes to give me a kiss, her warm mouth soft against mine until she smiled. And I knew then that if there were a cure for how lovesick I felt for her, I’d never take it.

Because she was the woman for me, the dream for me. And I never wanted to wake up from it, or without her, ever again.

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